SHANGHAI -- An increasing number of South Korean tourists are choosing to spend their weekends shopping in Shanghai to take advantage of cost-effective goods and services as China's relaxed visa-free policy is encouraging more international tourists to enter and travel around the country more conveniently.

A supermarket in Shanghai has been receiving inflows of shoppers from South Korea, who fly to the country to purchase cheaper special snacks, including macadamia nuts, potato chips and biscuits in exclusive flavors that can be only found in China.
Supermarkets have also been improving services to cater to the needs of international customers, with bilingual signs being placed all around the store and customized eco-friendly shopping bags being offered to tourists to further enhance their shopping experience.
Nail salons in Shanghai are also welcoming an increase in South Korean customers, with many bringing pictures of their preferred nail art designs and using translation apps to communicate with the technicians more smoothly.
Customers say they are impressed by the exquisite execution of their favorite designs and the cost-effective services on offer in Shanghai.
"I would have to spend about 80,000 won (over 55 U.S. dollars) if I wanted to get my nails done in this style in South Korea," said a tourist from the country.
The influx of visitors comes after China extended its visa-free transit policy last November to allow ordinary passport holders from 38 countries, including South Korea, to visit China for a maximum of 30 days without applying for a visa.
Following the introduction of this policy, Shanghai has emerged as a top destination for South Korean and Japanese tourists, particularly for short weekend getaways.
The rising number of tourists have kept business owners in Shanghai busy, with the city's catering, retail, and beauty industries all seeing growing revenue.